Jamaat Tightens Party Discipline

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has moved to tighten internal discipline after a series of allegations involving favoritism in the distribution of government grants and relief assistance, preferential treatment for relatives, and other irregularities at the local level. The party has issued written directives to all its members of parliament (MPs) and has already taken disciplinary action, including expulsions and organizational measures, against several leaders over various complaints.

Jamaat emerged as the main opposition party after winning 68 general seats and nine reserved seats for women in the 13th National Parliament election. Having campaigned on promises of justice, transparency, and accountability, the party’s elected representatives faced high public expectations. However, concerns have emerged within the leadership after questions were raised about the conduct of several MPs less than four months into the parliamentary term.

Several senior Jamaat leaders told Agamir Somoy that while the recent incidents may be isolated, the party is determined to prevent them from becoming a recurring pattern. During a series of recent internal meetings, party leaders instructed MPs not to make decisions regarding government grants, discretionary funds, relief distribution, or other state benefits that could damage the party’s reputation.

As part of that effort, Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar sent a directive to all MPs, instructing them not to recommend or allocate government grants or financial assistance to family members, relatives, in-laws, personal assistants (PAs), personal secretaries (PSs), or their relatives.

The letter states that even if such individuals qualify for assistance or are genuinely in need, MPs should refrain from using their position to secure government support for them. If an individual is genuinely deserving of assistance, the matter may instead be referred through the party organization, which can take appropriate action within its capacity. Party sources said the directive aims to prevent future controversies.

The most widely discussed recent case involved Narail-2 MP Ataur Rahman Bachchu. His discretionary fund allocation list showed two grants of Tk 10,000 each in the name of his daughter. Critics also alleged that a disproportionately large number of beneficiaries came from his own union and his in-laws’ area. The issue sparked criticism on social media after it became public.

Bachchu later claimed that his personal assistant had prepared the list using a pre-signed document. He subsequently dismissed the assistant from the position. The party also issued him a warning over the incident.